Structured Summary Background Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a necessary condition to the improvement of HIV patient health and public health through ART. This study sought to determine the comparative effectiveness of different interventions for improving ART adherence among HIV-infected persons living in Africa. Methods We searched for randomized trials that evaluated an intervention to promote antiretroviral adherence within Africa. We created a network of the differing interventions by pooling the published and individual patient data for comparable treatments and comparing them across the individual interventions using Bayesian network meta-analyses. Outcomes included self-reported adherence and viral suppression. Findings We obtained data on 14 randomized controlled trials, involving 7,110 patients. Interventions included daily and weekly short message service (SMS) messaging, calendars, peer supporters, alarms, counseling, and basic and enhanced standard of care (SOC). For self-reported adherence, we found distinguishable improvement in adherence compared to SOC with enhanced SOC (odds ratio [OR]: 1.46, 95% credibility interval [CrI]: 1.06–1.98), weekly SMS messages (OR:1.65; 95% CrI: 1.25–2.18), counseling and SMS combined (OR:2.07; 95% CrI: 1.22–3.53), and treatment supporters (OR:1.83; 95% CrI:1.36–2.45). We found no compelling evidence for the remaining interventions. Results were similar when using viral suppression as an outcome, although the network of evidence was sparser. Treatment supporters with enhanced SOC (OR:1.46; 95% CrI: 1.09–1.97) and weekly SMS messages (OR:1.55; 95% CrI: 1.00–2.39) were significantly superior to basic SOC. Interpretation Several recommendations for improving adherence are unsupported by the available evidence. These findings should influence guidance documents on improving ART adherence in poor settings.

In 2012, immigrants constitute 63% of new cases of heterosexually transmitted HIV among individuals born outside Ireland. Current strategies to encourage testing can be ineffective if immigrants perceive them as culturally insensitive. We obtained qualitative data to explore challenges to voluntary HIV-testing for immigrants in Ireland. Content analysis was undertaken to identify and describe pertinent themes. Widespread beliefs that HIV is primarily a disease of African immigrants were identified as challenges that constrain access to testing and care. The organization and location of testing services, attitude of health workers, and beliefs regarding mandatory HIV-testing for immigrants seeking access to welfare benefits were also identified. Immigrants in Ireland encounter a variety of structural, cultural and personal constraints to HIV testing. Opportunities exist in the Irish Health system to increase testing among immigrants through greater acknowledgement of cultural sensitivities of immigrant groups.

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One in five people living with HIV are unaware of their status; they account for an estimated 51% of new infections. HIV transmission can be reduced through a “Test and Treat” strategy, which can decrease both viral load and risk behaviors. However, linkage of newly diagnosed HIV positive persons to care has proved challenging. We report quantitative and qualitative data on linkage to care from HIV testing sites that partnered with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to implement “The Bronx Knows”, (TBK) an initiative that tested 607,570 residents over 3 years. During TBK, partner agencies reported the aggregate number of HIV tests conducted, the number of confirmed positives (overall and new), and the number of confirmed positives linked to medical care. We conducted qualitative interviews with directors of 24/30 TBK HIV testing agencies to identify linkage barriers and selected 9 for case studies. Barriers to linkage fell into 3 domains: (1) health care system factors (long wait for provider appointments; requirement of a positive confirmatory test before scheduling an appointment; system navigation; disrespectful to patients); (2) social factors (HIV stigma); and (3) characteristics of risk populations (e.g., mental illness, homelessness, substance use, immigrant). Best practices for linkage included networking among community organizations, individualized care plans, team approach, comprehensive and coordinated care services, and patient peer navigation. Research and public health implications are discussed.